Sahn Maru Korean BBQ Restaurant Review, Oakland

Posted on February 28, 2011

Reviewer: Foodnut.com

Sahn Maru Korean BBQ

4315 Telegraph Ave

Oakland, CA 94701

510-653-3366

510-658-3366 (Fax)

Sahn Maru is a popular Korean restaurant in Oakland, located on Telegraph, home to many Korean restaurants. We decided to give it a try, having seen many reviews on the restaurant and slowly trying each highly regarded Korean restaurant.

Verdict – We found the decor pretty average, with exposed hardwood from the walls to the tables to the chairs. The food was actually only slightly above average, although the Korean specialty dish, goat stew, really impressed us. Prices are higher than most places. Service was decent until the place got busy.Pyung Chang in Oakland, remains our current reference point for Korean restaurants. Southern California is home to far better Korean restaurants.

Eight different versions of Panchan including anchovies, potatoes in honey sauce
was a nice touch.

Heuk Yum So Tang or Sizzling black Goat stew ($19.95) was on their Korean specialties page, so we have to try it. It came to us very hot, full of goat parts including skin and other organs, sesame leaves, and scallions. The spicy stew was excellent, not gamey, and featured some very strong flavors.

Kalbi ($23.99) or barbecue short ribs marinated in a mild sauce was decent but a little lacking special flavors. It included two big bones with very little meat. (Bring this home to the dog)

Free cinnamon tea dessert

OK: (Order if you like this dish)

Hae Mool Dol sot Bibimbab ($14.99) includes octopus, calamari, baby shrimp, vegetables, and an egg yolk over Rice in a stone pot. This version was average. We had to ask them for an egg.

Seafood and Beef Soft Tofu ($12.99) with beef, shrimp, and mussels was solid but not special. It came bubbling hot and had a very fishy base.

[…] is on the next block. Ohgane is more meat oriented. We find the food here superior to the nearby Sahn Maru and Jang Su Jang in the South Bay. Nearby restaurants include Burma Superstar, Bakesale Betty, […]